4-55: The Virtue to Shepherd, the Malice to Act (2/6)

4-55: The Virtue to Shepherd, the Malice to Act (2/6)

Tamaya!!

H-Huh? K-Kagiya~

Some distance away from the parade, in a huge structure opposite the direction of the fireworks, at the balcony of one of the higher areas of Aura Castle inaccessible to customers, was a boy and a girl, standing beside each other as they watched the luminous flowers and the scene below.

The character costumes have already been removed and placed behind them, side-by-side, seemingly exhausted like a pair of workers that just finished a good days work.

It was too difficult to return to the storage room without being noticed, so they came here instead.

Theyd jumped across building to make their way to the parade, but with how so many eyes were on the night sky right now, that wasnt an option anymore.

Thats why although there were other places they could hide in, Shinichi made this proposal.

Its a rare opportunity, so we might as well get ourselves some special seats.

Aristel didnt have any reason to refuse, so she accepted, and this was the place that Shinichi brought her to.

Despite seeming like the most conspicuous choice possible, everyone was too focused on the parade and the fireworks to notice them.

Moreover, little attention was given to this castle on the other side, while the balcony was just for decoration, so people couldnt actually access it.

And by being at a height and position too difficult to see from below regardless of the angle, it was perfect for viewing the fireworks while keeping away from prying eyes.

You sure are well informed.

I did a little studying of my own about Japan, you see.

A gentle smile surfaced on them as they watched the fireworks together.

There were already fireworks prepared for the event, so Kimura just had to activate them at the right time to make them work in their favor.

Apparently, the staff had that much authority.

To draw flowers in the night sky with gunpowder What a wonderful and beautiful idea. Its so different from the records that before I knew it, I was captivated.

Yeah, it feels like Im finally seeing the real thing. Its been awhile since I came back, but its only now that Im finally feeling like this.

When he muttered that while glancing at the parade down below, she found herself swallowing her breath, then after becoming thoughtful for awhile, she asked the boy standing beside her.

So, what will you be doing?

What do you mean?

Without averting his gaze and without turning to her, he asked her that in response; Aristel did not find that strange nor felt estranged and just continued with what she had in mind.

Theres still time before the park closes. With everyones attention taken by the fireworks, Im sure all the rides are free right now.

She was implying that they could use the remaining time to have fun, but unfortunately, only an apologetic smile could be glimpsed from his face from the side.

Cant say Im really in the mood for that kind of fun after giving a beating. Oh, but then I guess Id end up taking your free time away. In that case, if theres anything you want to do, Ill

Dont you have a place or a sight here that you wanted to visit?

The boy was about to tell her that he would accompany her, but the girl spoke before he could and asked that question with a serious tone and gaze.

He could tell that there was another meaning behind her question, so he found himself blinking as he turned to her.

A hint of surprise could be glimpsed from her, but there were no emotions beyond that.

By coincidence, Aristel had heard the words he muttered back at the Tokyo Tower and was shocked. She didnt know anything about the drifters beyond what shes heard.

As such, the extent of her knowledge about the drifters unfortunate enough not to end up in any of the cities was sorely limited.

With how low their odds of survival were and his unadulterated opinion, Aristel found herself speechless.

Though her situation wasnt anything like a drifting, she was also someone whose environment was turned upside down one day.

Thats why she could understand the myriad of emotions hidden behind his remark then.

Im satisfied already.

To express such ideals in words is a trivial task, but to actually imbue oneself with them is surprisingly difficult.

But this boy beside her has already accomplished that. If so, then just who else could possibly have the qualifications to even contend with him?

To her, this was something far more valuable than his impossible combat potential.

And it was in fact because she picked up on it even back in the department store or the exam incident that she decided to confess, but now, she was certain of it.

Of course, she couldnt say with conviction that she was not merely looking at him in a favorable light because of her affection for him, but the sight of him ignoring the large flowers in the sky to gaze lovingly at the small flowers blooming on the ground was just too captivating, and she couldnt help but realize just how deeply and sorely she yearned for this man.

Im troubled.

She took his arm and snuggled up to him.

He turned to her curiously, and she rested her head on his shoulder and looked up at him with upturned eyes.

I wanted to wait until I was more deserving before saying this, but I really wish I were your woman right now.

She said that so casually that the boy was stupefied for a moment, but that quickly turned into a wry smile.

My, what a candid noble lady we have here.

Though there was astonishment in his voice, there was admiration as well.

Do you not like it?

Lets just say It depends on the person.

He spoke vaguely as though in attempt to dodge the question, so the girl held his arm even tighter and snuggled even closer.

The boy did not reject her advances, and his warmth and heartbeat felt so pleasant, so the girl was relieved.

Well, you at least seem fond of me. Thats a relief Though its a little sad that you could be so calm despite all this.

As a maiden, however, she felt defeated in how he could keep his emotions from stirring despite snuggling so closely. It was quite frustrating.

She was letting her chest touch him so brazenly, yet not even the slightest agitation or blush could be seen on him.

If anything, he seemed to be amused by how tense and embarrassed she was.

Fu fu, youre 10 years too early if you want to seduce me, my lady.

So Im still a long way. I knew, but it really is regrettable.

But she understood full well that she could not seduce him with her looks or charms.

Even when they met in this form for the first time, and even when they took classes together, what caught his attention the most was not her beauty or figure but her efforts to maintain her Status; hence, her seduction would likely only be able to take effect once more of such efforts have been acknowledged more by him.

In that case Wont you at least give me a reward? For today?

As a girl aware that she was far from ready, that was the most she could plead from him,

the most she could pester from him with flushed cheeks; a request all too difficult for Shinichi to reject.

Im weak to requests like that.

Mm.

The boy brushed aside the hair dangling on her face and gently caressed her cheeks.

Just that alone seemed to make her face warmer, and the touch of his fingers more than enough to make her heart beat quicker.

S-Shinichi-san.

Alice, I

They gazed into each others eyes.

The girls eyes were passionate, so full of heat and ardor, while the boys was calm yet sincere, but then those eyes suddenly lost strength, and the boy smiled merrily as he whispered, Looks like were out of time.

The audacity! To actually perform such illicit sexual relationship right in front of a teacher!

Shinichis quiet words were immediately followed by a spine-chilling voice.